The ideas we are sharing over the next few weeks are designed to support your coaching. We’ve not provided full instructions and have assumed that you have a working knowledge of coaching skills, models and theories. If you’d like extra support with your coaching cards and how you might use them, just get in touch.
The questions we have chosen for the cards are free of judgement, suggestion, direction, content and context. They can be applied to any situation. The way in which the question is offered (e.g. tone of voice, physiology of the coach, intent, kindness and challenge) is part of the skills and behaviours of effective coaching.
So, secondly we explore how to use the pictures….
Picture cards
Cards can be chosen at random or with deliberation. Maybe one at a time or in groups of 3 or 5. Below are some ways of interpreting those chosen.
- Seek patterns and make connections
- Build on ideas
- Explore complex issues
- Imagine alternatives and be creative
- Explore beyond what is logical
- Spark humour and playfulness
- Transfer learning into new situations
Here are some questions / activities for the coach to use with the chosen card(s).
- What does this say about your goal?
- What does this say about how things are at the moment?
- What does this say about the options that are currently available to you?
- What does this one say about the resources, skills and support that you have that will help you reach your goal?
- What does this one tell you about the first steps you will take?
- Note down as many ideas as you can that are suggested by the card you chose.
- Is there a card that represents how you feel about your situation right now?
- If you could, what would you like to change in the card?
- Choose a card which represents what it is like to be a middle manager, customer adviser, sales person, mum (or other role)
- Choose a card to represent how you feel about one-to-ones, appraisals, meetings, your line manager (or other situation / relationship)
- Choose cards and describe the connection?
- Choose cards to produce a visual collage of your desired outcome
- Choose cards to represent obstacles which lie ahead…
- Choose a card which represents something you learned as a result of an experience
- Spread out the cards with the picture down. Pick one and turn it over. How might the picture inform your approach to the day / situation / goal?
- Choose a card at random and jot down 12 words that spring to mind when you look at it. Now apply each of these words to the situation / goal. Generate ideas
- At the end of a coaching session, choose a card that represents the learning or summarises the session
- At the end of a coaching session, choose a card that represents actions and deadlines
- Pick a card that suggests a topic for exploration. Put the card in the centre of a large sheet of paper, and then create a map of ideas around it
- What is happening outside the picture? What is behind it, beneath it and in front of it?
- Chose a card that represents the current situation, a card for the future situation and a card that bridges the gap between the two
- If there are people in the picture, what advice might they give?
Clare’s Coaching Cards contain 55 original images and 55 coaching questions, presented as a pack of education cards (usefully larger than normal playing cards and still small enough to tuck into a pocket or bag). The 55 coaching questions can be applied to any situation – at home, work or somewhere else.
Available to purchase here. If you’d like any more information on Coaching & Mentoring and to chat about which qualification may be suitable for you do get in touch.
